#75 What is narrative-based medicine? with Amy Waterman

In the 75th episode of A Pinch of Salt we'll be talking about narrative-based medicine, a topic that is not specific to nephrology, but it should be a core topic that is deeply involved in practicing patient-friendly clinical medicine. In medical schools we are taught extensively on how to get information from patients about their symptoms and signs, which will help us develop a differential diagnosis. But we don’t learn much about how to get information on the patient’s point of view, their ideas, concerns and expectations. We are also not always well equipped to communicate important medical information to patients in a manner that would be understandable to them and also meaningful. Narrative-based medicine is an approach to healthcare that emphasizes understanding a patient’s story—not just their symptoms or test results—as a central part of diagnosis and treatment. It is also a very useful  tool that helps you to communicate effectively back to the patient. It is often not helpful to define a patient’s medical reality by using the language of science, as this is understood only by scientists and virtually nobody else. Learn how to incorporate stories in your clinical practice. It will benefit both you and your patients.